This past weekend was probably the most beautiful ones I have ever seen in Chicago.  The sun shone, the breeze blew, and the leaves were all shades of red, orange and yellow (which happen to rank very high on my favorite colors list).  It also happened to be an extended weekend-- no classes yesterday for fall break.  To make it even better, my mom was in town visiting me.  We had such a wonderful long weekend! Courtesy of the lovely weather, we spent most of it at the lakefront and in Grant Park.  We walked (a lot), people watched (too much?), and even rented bikes one afternoon.  While she was here we also visited some Chicago staples- The Shedd Aquarium, Millennium Park, and Giordano's (they make my favorite deep dish pizza).  It was great to spend so much time with my Mom and even better to share Chicago with her!

It's always a little difficult to get back into the groove after a weekend as enjoyable as this past one, but I'm working on it.  I met my weekend goals academics wise (Mom is also in school and we spent a few hours each morning doing homework), but even focusing in class seems to be challenging right now. I'll have to refocus myself before next week's midterm does it for me. 

Grad school apps are due in 8 short weeks!  I go back and forth between feeling like 8 weeks is an eternity and feeling like its no time at all.  No matter what, those weeks will go by too quickly.  I'm hoping to finish up my personal statement and follow up on my letters of recommendation before the end of next week.  Then, it will be a matter of keeping my fingers crossed and hoping my first choice likes me as much as I like them!